[Updated] Ethiopia Wins the Bid for Non-Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council; What Do Politicians and Analysts Have to Say

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Ethiopia has today won the bid for non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ethiopia’s bid came following the unanimous endorsement at the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government, held from 30-31 January 2016 in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia hereafter announced its bid for a non–permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2017–18.

Today’s result indicated that 185 out of 190 UN member States have voted in favour of Ethiopia’s membership at the UNSC. Only five nations,Senegal, Eritrea, Egypt, Qatar and Suadi Arabia reportedly voted against Ethiopia.

Politicians and analysts whom Awramba Times spoke to considered it as one of Ethiopia’s major diplomatic achievements.

“Ethiopia will be part decision making process of global matters”, said Alula Solomon, former lecturer of Mekelle university and current PhD candidate at the university of Maryland. “like peacekeeping missions, resolving conflicts, mandate cease fire and imposing economic sanctions and so on, that are watched and handled by the UN Security Council” he added.

Ewnetu Bilata, special adviser to the prime minister of Ethiopia, on his part says Ethiopia’s membership has a number of advantages. He stressed that it is also a showcase for the nation’s role in a world peace keeping mission will be recognized as it should be.

“as the second most populous nation in Africa our voice would be heard at the international arena and we would represent the region and the Continent at large “. Ewnetu responded to Awramba Times “we can use the opportunity to protect our national interest in this volatile region of the world as a result the sanctions on Eritrean regime will remain as it’s now” Ewnetu underlined.

The UN security council is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations, charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to its UN charter.

Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military actions through security council resolutions: it is; the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

Each year, the UN General Assembly elects five non permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term. The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis: five for African and Asian countries; one for Eastern European countries; two for Latin American and Caribbean countries; two for Western European and other countries.

Ethiopia is now the second largest contributor to UN peace keeping operations and the largest in Africa. Also a major contributor to the African Union Mission on Somalia (AMISOM) and is an active participant in the establishment of the East African Standby Force, to which it is contributing one of the five contributions to the 5,000 strong unit.

In all these peacekeeping missions, Ethiopia has received substantial continental and international recognition and commendation for the effective execution of ongoing peace keeping and peace-building operations.

13 Responses

Great diplomatic achievement for the continent in general and our country in particular simply because our country is not only a country that keep the interest of her nation interest but the interest of the continent in many aspects. One raise as many as he can from the time of colonial era up to the recent time by the late p/m as well as the incumbent p/m

“Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Ethiopia has today won the bid for non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), 185 out of 190 UN member States have voted in favour of Ethiopia’s membership at the UNSC.”

Getting 185 votes out of 190 is huge and telling about the great Ethiopian position internationally.

However, who are those 5 nations that left out by their bad and wrong choice and defeated badly down to hell? We can guess about who they are and they are not far from Africa but the desert locusts massively breeding evils in the area that knows always only demons and evils in the form of human beings.

Haha crime a river . We should be proud of our leaders. This is one of the greatest achievement of our generations . U ppl r mad just cuz it’s not hailelselasiai who made it happen. Be proud and walk taller. Finally the whole world recognize how much we achieved . Stop the hate and enjoy the moment our beloved country is on the right track.

Axumite empire ended because Arabs won’t do business with Ethiopia.I won’t be surprise that they voted against Ethiopia this time .God is with Ethiopia. Essayase should learn from what happened to Gaddafi and Said Barre. Believe me the day will come Eritera wants to join Ethiopia and Ethiopians vote on to it because they are doing very well with out them.

Indeed, a great achivement to Ethiopia. After all, Ethiopia has acquired the trust & confidence of 185 countries out of 193. Two countries abstained and one invalid vote – probably someone doesn’t know how to cast their vote.

Everyone wish to know the two countries, which appears too indifferent from acceptable world view or incongruous with Ethiopia. Anyway, the overwhelming majority speaks volumes to Ethiopia’s global acceptance and respect. Well done Ethiopia!

Apart from the obvious, I really want where we failed to get full vote….? You mentioned five countries who voted against. The news from Report Yesterday says only two voted against. Would you please dive deep and tell us the fact. It will help us to deal diplomatically with the unexpected countries who voted against… (Note that majority of the country expected this result but there are countries who want to show up their resistance against ETHIOPIA. ) People this is not about this government….It is about Ethiopia…and we need to be careful and see the big picture. Kindly update the news. Thank you.